Shower receptacle adapters

ABSTRACT

An adapter assembly for coupling a shower receptacle to a drain includes a base and an upper member. The base includes a bottom wall, a sidewall, and a first aperture. The sidewall extends upward from an outer periphery of the bottom wall. The first aperture is disposed in the bottom wall. The upper member is adjustably coupled to the base and has a second aperture disposed therein. The upper member is configured to be selectively moved relative to the base to adjust a relative position between the first and second apertures. A portion of the base and a portion of the upper member cooperatively define an internal cavity for receiving a fluid therein.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/132,791 filed Mar. 13, 2015, the entire disclosure ofwhich is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The present application relates generally to the field of bases orreceptacles for baths (e.g., showers, bath tubs, etc.). Morespecifically, the present application relates to adapters for mounting ashower base or receptacle to an existing drain pipe or drain opening ina floor (e.g., a drain, a sewage pipe, etc.).

SUMMARY

One embodiment relates to an adapter assembly for coupling a showerreceptacle to a drain. The adapter assembly includes a base and an uppermember. The base includes a bottom wall, a sidewall, and a firstaperture. The sidewall extends upward from an outer periphery of thebottom wall. The first aperture is disposed in the bottom wall. Theupper member is adjustably coupled to the base and has a second aperturedisposed therein. The upper member is configured to be selectively movedrelative to the base to adjust a relative position between the first andsecond apertures. A portion of the base and a portion of the uppermember cooperatively define an internal cavity for receiving a fluidtherein.

Another embodiment relates to an adapter assembly for fluidly coupling ashower receptacle to a drain. The adapter assembly includes a base andan upper member. The base includes a bottom wall, a sidewall, and afirst flange. The sidewall extends upward from a periphery of the bottomwall. The first flange extends from the bottom wall and defines a firstaperture. The upper member is adjustably coupled to the base, andincludes a second flange extending from the upper member and defining bya second aperture. The upper member is configured to be selectivelymoved relative to the base to adjust a relative position between thefirst and second apertures. The base is configured to be coupled to thedrain at the first aperture and the upper member is configured to becoupled to the shower receptacle at the second aperture.

Another embodiment relates to an adapter for fluidly coupling a showerreceptacle to a drain. The adapter includes a generally planar bottomwall and a seal. The seal extends upwardly from the bottom wall andalong an outer periphery of the bottom wall. The seal includes an innersurface and a top surface. The inner surface of the seal and an uppersurface of the generally planar bottom wall collectively define aninternal cavity for receiving a fluid therein. The top surface of theseal is configured to engage a bottom surface of the shower receptacleto form a water-tight seal therebetween.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial exploded view of a receptacle adapter assemblyaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the adapter assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a detail view of the adapter assembly of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a receptacle adapter assembly accordingto another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the adapter assembly of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an adapter according to anotherexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the adapter of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally speaking, conventional shower receptacles have generally beenmade having a size of 60×30 inches or smaller, and typically include adrain opening having a fixed location within the receptacle. Thereceptacle is typically installed onto a drain pipe located in anopening of a floor of a building to fix the relative position of thereceptacle. More recently, shower receptacles have been made having asize of 60×32 inches or larger due to a need for more usable space inshowers and baths. The shower receptacles having the larger 60×32 inchfootprint typically include a drain opening having a fixed location thatis different from the location of the drain opening in conventionalreceptacles having the smaller 60×30 inch footprint. This isundesirable, because when a conventional shower receptacle or bathtub isreplaced with a new receptacle having a different drain location (suchas during remodeling), significant modifications must be made to theexisting drain pipe/floor to accommodate the new drain location, such asremoving the old drain pipe from a cement subfloor.

For example, recently across the country there have been significantremodeling efforts in the hospitality industry (i.e., hotels and thelike), which have included replacing bathtubs with showers. Typically,the bathtubs include a receptacle that has a 60×30 inch footprint with adrain location that is different than the drain location of a showerreceptacle having a 60×32 inch footprint. This is problematic, becausethe opening in the subfloor of most hotel buildings for an existingdrain pipe/drain must be enlarged. Thus, to replace the 60×30 inchbathtub with a larger shower, an installer/builder must enlarge thesubfloor opening in, for example, a cement subfloor, to accommodate thenew drain location of the shower receptacle. This requires significantmodifications including removal of the old drain pipe from the cementsubfloor, drilling/cutting a new drain opening in the subfloor, andproviding a new, larger drain pipe in the new location of the subfloor.These modifications are both time consuming and expensive.

Accordingly, referring generally to the FIGURES, disclosed herein areadapter assemblies and adapters for mounting a shower or bath receptacleto an existing drain pipe or drain opening without having to modify theexisting drain location and/or floor structure.

According to an exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a receptacleassembly includes a receptacle 20 (e.g., a receptacle, a base, etc.) andan adapter 10 (e.g., an adapter assembly, etc.). The adapter 10 isconfigured to fluidly couple (e.g., mount, couple, removably couple,etc.) the receptacle 20 to a drain pipe 30 a located within a subfloor30 (e.g., a floor, the ground, etc.). As shown in FIG. 1, the drain pipe30 a has a fixed location in the subfloor that is different from thelocation of a drain opening 20 a (e.g., a drain, an aperture, a hole,etc.) located in the receptacle 20. The adapter 10, advantageously,fluidly connects/couples the receptacle 20 to the drain pipe 30 a, suchthat fluid (e.g., water) flowing into the receptacle 20 can becommunicated and directed to the drain pipe 30 a without the need formodifying/changing the location of the drain pipe 30 a in the subfloor30, and/or the location of the drain opening 20 a in the receptacle 20.

According to an exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the adapterassembly 10 is usable for mounting or fluidly coupling a receptacle(e.g., receptacle 20) to a drain pipe (e.g., drain pipe 30 a), andincludes a base 12 (e.g., a lower member, a bottom member, etc.) and anupper member 11 (e.g., an upper panel, a top member, etc.). The uppermember 11 is removably coupled to the base 12, and is configured to beadjusted (e.g., moved, translated, rotated, etc.) relative to the base12. The base 12 is configured to be coupled (e.g., press-fit, inserted,threadably coupled, removably coupled, connected, etc.) to a drain pipeor drain opening (e.g., drain pipe 30 a, etc.) having a first locationin, for example, a sub floor of a building. The upper member 11 can becoupled (e.g., inserted, press-fit, threadably coupled, removablycoupled, connected, etc.) to a drain opening of a receptacle (e.g.,receptacle 20, etc.) having a second location that may be different from(e.g., offset from) the first location of the drain pipe or drainopening. In this manner, the adapter assembly 10 can efficientlycommunicate and direct fluid flowing from the receptacle to the drainpipe without having to modify the receptacle and/or the drain pipelocation.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the base 12 includes a bottom wall 12 a (e.g., alower surface, a bottom panel, a lower panel, etc.), a sidewall 12 b(e.g., a sleeve, a flange, etc.) extending upwardly from andcircumferentially along a periphery of the bottom wall 12 a, and a firstaperture (e.g., a hole, an opening, a drain, etc.) defined by a flange12 d disposed in the bottom wall 12 a. The first aperture is located ata position that is offset from the center of the bottom wall 12 a,according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2A, the bottomwall 12 a is generally planar and has a generally circular shape,however, the bottom wall 12 a may be configured to be any number ofshapes such as oval, square, rectangular, or the like. Additionally, thebottom wall 12 a may be configured to be planar or non-planar. Theflange 12 d (e.g., a sleeve, a shoulder, etc.) extends downward from abottom surface of the bottom wall 12 a and surrounds the first aperture.According to various exemplary embodiments, the flange 12 d can becoupled (e.g., via threads, press fit features, or other suitableconnection means) to a drain pipe or drain opening having a fixedlocation in a floor, such as a drain pipe located in a cement sub-floor.The base 12 can be rotated (e.g., moved, adjusted, etc.) relative to thedrain pipe before being fixed in position. According to other exemplaryembodiments, the base 12 can include one or more support feet 12 c(e.g., pegs, supports, grommets, etc.) located on a bottom surface ofthe bottom wall 12 a to provide support for the base 12 relative to afloor or the ground when the base 12 is installed onto a drain pipe ordrain opening.

Still referring to FIG. 2A, the sidewall 12 b of the base 12 generallyextends upward from an outer periphery (e.g., a peripheral edge, aperimeter, etc.) of the bottom wall 12 a. The sidewall 12 b is shown ina generally upright (e.g., vertical) configuration, however, thesidewall 12 b can be configured differently. For example, the sidewall12 b can have a tapered, angled, or arcuate (e.g., curved) shape,according to other exemplary embodiments. At least a portion of thesidewall 12 b, the bottom wall 12 a, and the upper member 11collectively define an internal cavity for fluid (e.g., water, etc.) toflow through when the adapter assembly 10 is installed between areceptacle and a drain pipe. Generally speaking, the height of thesidewall 12 b should be minimized, so as to maintain a shorter overallreceptacle height depending on the particular application of the adapterassembly 10.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the upper member11 is generally planar and includes a second aperture (e.g., a hole, anopening, etc.) defined by a flange 11 a. According to the exemplaryembodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the second aperture is located at aposition that is offset from the center of the upper member 11. Theupper member 11 can be removably and rotatably coupled to the base 12,and can be moved or adjusted (e.g., rotate, etc.) relative to the base12. For example, according to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS.2A-2B, the upper member 11 is removably coupled to the base 12 via acollar 13 (e.g., a ring, a coupler, etc.). The collar 13 includes ashoulder 13 a that sandwiches and seals the upper member 11 to the base12 when the collar 13 is coupled (e.g., threaded, press fit, snap fit,locked, etc.) to a portion of the sidewall 12 a. As shown in FIGS.2A-2B, the collar 13 further includes a threaded portion 13 b thatthreadably engages an upper portion of the sidewall 12 a of the base.According to other exemplary embodiments (not shown), the upper member11 may be configured to couple directly to the base without the need forthe collar 13 via threads, press fit features, snaps, locking features,or the like. A water tight seal can also achieved between the uppermember 11 and the base 12, such as by using thread sealant and/or a seal(e.g., a gasket, an O ring seal, etc.). According to other exemplaryembodiments (not shown), the upper member 11 and the collar 13 may beintegrally formed as a unitary structure.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the upper member 11 is generally planar and has agenerally circular shape, however, the upper member 11 may be configuredto be any number of shapes such as oval, square, rectangular, or thelike. Additionally, the upper member 11 may be configured to be planaror non-planar. As shown in FIG. 2A, the upper member 11 includes aflange 11 a that is a standard sized drain flange disposed around thesecond aperture, according to an exemplary embodiment. According tovarious exemplary embodiments, the flange 11 a can be coupled (e.g.,threadably coupled, removably coupled, connected, etc.) to a drainopening of a receptacle (e.g., receptacle 20, etc.).

According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the collar 13can include markings 13 c (e.g., tick marks, angle marks, dimensionalmarks, etc.) arranged concentrically along a periphery of the shoulder13 a of the collar. The markings 13 c can, advantageously, assist aninstaller with positioning of the upper member 11 relative to the base12 for installation of a shower receptacle.

For example, the upper member 11 can include an indicator 11 b (e.g., aprojection, a line, a mark, etc.) located on a top surface of the uppermember. After the base 12 is installed onto a drain pipe or drainopening in, for example, a subfloor of a building via the first apertureand/or the flange 12 d, an installer can determine the distance betweenthe center of the drain pipe and the center of the drain opening in thereceptacle at the installed position of the receptacle (i.e., theposition of the receptacle drain opening relative to the drain pipe).This is the offset distance that the installer can use to position thesecond aperture of the upper member 11 (which is associated with thedrain opening of the receptacle) relative to the first aperture of thebase 12 (which is associated with the drain pipe in the floor).

Next, the upper member 11 and the collar 13 can be loosely coupled tothe base 12 to allow for adjusting the position of the upper memberrelative to the base. According to other exemplary embodiments, theupper member 11 and the collar 13 are pre-installed onto the base 12before the installer receives the adapter assembly 10 for installation.The installer can then move (e.g., rotate, etc.) the upper member 11relative to the base 12 until the distance between the center of thesecond aperture and the center of the first aperture is the same as thedistance between the center of the drain pipe in the floor and thecenter of the drain opening in the receptacle at the installed position(e.g., by using the markings 13 c on the collar 13 and the indicator 11b on the upper member 11 as a guide). The installer can also move/adjust(e.g., rotate, etc.) the base 12 relative to the drain pipe in thefloor, to further adjust the adapter assembly 10 position beforeinstallation of the receptacle.

According to an exemplary installation shown in FIG. 1, the adapterassembly 10 is configured to couple a receptacle to a drain pipe locatedin a sub-floor. First, an installer determines the offset distancebetween the drain opening of the receptacle and the drain pipe at theinstalled position of the receptacle. Next, the base is coupled to thedrain pipe at the first aperture and/or the flange 12 a of the bottomwall of the base (e.g., via threads, press fit features, lockingfeatures, or other suitable connection means). The bottom wall 12 a mayalso contact (e.g., engage, abut, etc.) the sub-floor at a bottomsurface of the wall and/or at the one or more support feet 12 c locatedon the bottom surface. The base 12 can be adjusted (e.g., rotated, etc.)relative to the drain pipe in a direction indicated generally by arrow“A” about an axis A′ defined by the first aperture to properly positionthe adapter assembly 10 for installation of the receptacle. Next, theupper member 11 is loosely coupled to the base 12 via the collar 13 suchthat the upper member is can be moved/adjusted (e.g., rotated, etc.)within the collar relative to the base. According to an exemplaryembodiment, the upper member 11 can be rotated in a direction indicatedby arrow “B” about an axis B′ defined by the sidewall 12 b. According toother exemplary embodiments, the collar 13 and upper member 11 arepre-installed onto the base 12 before the installer receives theassembly for installation. The installer can then adjust (e.g., rotate,move, etc.) the upper member 11 relative to the base 12 until the secondaperture of the upper member is at the same position/distance as thedrain opening of the receptacle at the installed position of thereceptacle.

Once the upper member 11 is at the desired position, the collar 13 canthen be securely fastened (e.g., coupled, threadably coupled, etc.) tothe base 12, such that the upper member 11 is fixed relative to the base12 (i.e., sandwiched between the collar 13 and the base 12). Lastly, thedrain opening of the receptacle is fluidly coupled to the secondaperture via the flange 11 a of the upper member 11, such that fluid(e.g., water) flowing into the receptacle can be communicated/directedfrom the receptacle 11 to the drain pipe via the adapter assembly 10.According to other exemplary embodiments, the adapter assembly 10 ispre-installed onto the drain opening of the receptacle before theinstaller receives the assembly for installation onto the drain pipe.

According to another exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, anadapter assembly 40 for fluidly coupling a receptacle (e.g., a showerreceptacle, a sink receptacle, a bathtub receptacle, etc.) to a drainpipe is shown. The adapter assembly 40 includes a base 42 and an uppermember 41 slidably coupled to the base 42. The upper member 41 can bemoved (e.g., translate, slide, etc.) relative to the base 42 in adirection indicated generally by arrows “B” and “C” in FIG. 3A. The base42 can be rotated relative to a drain pipe in a direction indicatedgenerally by arrow “D” in FIG. 3A. The base 42 can be coupled to a drainpipe or drain opening (e.g., a drain, a sewage pipe, etc.) having afirst location in, for example, a sub-floor. The upper member 41 can becoupled to a drain opening of a receptacle (e.g., a shower receptacle, abath receptacle, a sink receptacle, etc.) having a second location thatis different from (e.g., offset from) the first location, such thatfluid (e.g., water) flowing into the receptacle can be efficientlycommunicated/directed from the receptacle to the drain pipe.

As shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, the base 42 includes a bottom wall 42 a (e.g.,a lower surface, a bottom panel, etc.), sidewalls 42 b, end walls 42 cextending upwardly from and along a periphery of the bottom wall 42 a,and a first aperture (e.g., a hole, an opening, a drain, etc.) definedby a flange 42 d. The first aperture is located at a position that isoffset from the center of the bottom wall 42 a, according to anexemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3A, the bottom wall 42 a isgenerally planar and has a generally rectangular shape, however, thebottom wall 42 a may be configured to be any number of shapes such ashexagonal, octagonal, or the like. Additionally, the bottom wall 42 amay be configured to be planar or non-planar. As shown in FIGS. 3A-3B,the bottom wall includes a flange 42 d (e.g., a sleeve, a shoulder,etc.) extending downward a distance from a bottom surface of the bottomwall 42 a (e.g., 2 inches, etc.) and surrounding the first aperture.According to various exemplary embodiments, the flange 42 d can becoupled (e.g., via threads, press fit features, locking features, orother suitable connection means) to a drain pipe having a fixed locationin a floor (e.g., a drain pipe in a cement sub-floor). According toother exemplary embodiments, the base 42 can include one or more supportfeet 42 f (e.g., pegs, supports, grommets, etc.) located on a bottomsurface of the bottom wall 42 a to provide support to the assembly whenthe base is installed onto a drain pipe or drain opening.

FIG. 3B illustrates the assembly 42 installed between a drain opening ina sub-floor 30 and a drain opening in a receptacle 20. As shown in FIG.3B, the sidewalls 42 b and the end walls 42 c generally extend upwardlya distance from a periphery (e.g., a peripheral edge, a perimeter, etc.)of the bottom wall 42 a (e.g., 0.5 inches, etc.). The sidewalls 42 b andend walls 42 c are shown in a generally upright (e.g., vertical)configuration, however, the sidewalls and end walls can each beconfigured differently. For example, the sidewalls 42 b and/or the endwalls 42 c can have a tapered, angled, or arcuate (e.g., curved) shape.The sidewalls 42 b further include a shoulder 42 e (e.g., a flange, aretaining edge, etc.) extending inwardly from an upper portion thereof.The shoulder 42 e and an upper portion of each of the sidewalls 42 bdefine a generally horizontal channel (e.g., a slot, etc.) extending ina longitudinal direction along each of the sidewalls 42 b. The shoulder42 e, advantageously, can receive a portion of the upper member 41therein to allow for relative translational movement between the uppermember and the base 42. The shoulder 42 e is further configured toretain the upper member 41 relative to the base 42. At least a portionof the sidewalls 42 b, the end walls 42 c, the bottom wall 42 a, and theupper member 41 collectively define an internal cavity for fluid (e.g.,water, etc.) to flow through (indicated generally by the dotted line andarrow “E” shown in FIG. 3B) when the adapter assembly 40 is installedbetween, for example, the receptacle 20 and the drain pipe/opening inthe sub-floor 30.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, the uppermember 41 is generally planar and includes a second aperture (e.g., ahole, an opening, etc.) defined by a flange 41 a. The second aperture islocated at a position that is offset from the center of the upper member41, according to an exemplary embodiment. The upper member 41 isslidably disposed within the channel defined by the shoulders 42 e ofthe base 42, and can be selectively moved or adjusted (e.g., translate,slide, etc.) by a user or an installer relative to the base 42.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the upper member 41 is generally planar and has agenerally rectangular shape, however, the upper member 41 may beconfigured to be any number of shapes that are complementary to theshape of the base 42. Additionally, the upper member 41 may beconfigured to be planar or non-planar. As shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, theupper member 41 may include a flange 41 a (e.g., a sleeve, a shoulder,etc.) extending upwardly a distance from a top surface of the uppermember 41 (e.g., about 2 inches), and surrounding the second aperture.According to various exemplary embodiments, the flange 41 a can becoupled (e.g., via threads, press fit features, locking features, orother suitable connection means) to a receptacle (e.g., a showerreceptacle, a sink receptacle, a bath receptacle, etc.) at a drainopening of the receptacle.

According to an exemplary installation shown in FIG. 3B, the adapterassembly 40 of FIG. 3A is configured to fluidly couple a receptacle to adrain pipe located in, for example, a sub-floor. First, an installerdetermines the offset distance between the drain opening of thereceptacle and the drain pipe at the installed position of thereceptacle. Next, the base 42 is coupled (e.g., threadably coupled,removably coupled, etc.) to the drain pipe at the first aperture and/orat the flange 42 d. The bottom wall 42 a may also contact (e.g., engage,abut, etc.) the subfloor at a bottom surface of the bottom wall 42 aand/or at the one or more support feet 42 f located on a bottom surfaceof the bottom wall. The base 42 can then be adjusted (e.g., rotated)relative to the drain pipe about an axis defined by the first aperture(indicated generally by arrow “D” in FIG. 3A) to position the adapterassembly 40 for installation of the receptacle.

Next, the upper member 41 is slidably disposed (e.g., inserted, etc.)within the channels or slots of the base 42 defined by the shoulders 42e, such that the upper member 41 can be selectively moved/adjusted(e.g., translated, slid, etc.) along the channels relative to the base42. According to other exemplary embodiments, the upper member 41 ispre-installed onto the base 42 before the installer receives theassembly for installation. The installer can then adjust (e.g., move,slide, translate, etc.) the upper member 41 relative to the base 42(indicated by arrows “B” and “C” in FIGS. 3A-3B) until the secondaperture of the upper member 41 is at the same position/distance as thedrain opening of the receptacle at the installed position of thereceptacle. Once the upper member 41 is at the desired position, theupper member can be coupled (e.g., locked, fastened, secured, etc.) tothe base 42 to fix the position of the upper member relative to thebase. Lastly, the drain opening of the receptacle is fluidly coupled tothe second aperture and/or the flange 41 a of the upper member 41, suchthat fluid (e.g., water) can be communicated/directed from thereceptacle to the drain pipe through the internal cavity of the adapterassembly 40. According to other exemplary embodiments, the adapterassembly 40 is pre-installed (e.g., coupled) onto the receptacle drainopening before the installer receives the assembly for installation.

According to another exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, an adapter 50(e.g., a membrane) for installing a receptacle to a drain pipe is shown.The adapter 50 includes a bottom wall 51 and a seal 52 (e.g., a gasket,a protrusion, etc.) extending along a periphery (e.g., a peripheraledge, a perimeter, etc.) of the bottom wall 51. A portion of the bottomwall 51 and a portion of the seal 52 collectively define an internalcavity for fluid to flow through when the adapter 50 is installedbetween a receptacle 20 and a drain pipe 31 (see FIG. 5). The bottomwall 51 is configured for an installer to cut (e.g., insert, punch,drill, etc.) a drain hole at a desired position within the bottom wallat an installation site. According to other exemplary embodiments, thebottom wall 51 can include a pre-cut drain hole 52 c (e.g., an aperture,a drain opening, etc.) (see FIG. 5) before the installer receives theadapter 50 for installation. The drain hole 52 c of the bottom wall 51receive at least a portion of a drain pipe 31 (e.g., a drain, a sewagepipe, etc.) therein, and having a first location. The seal 52 can engage(e.g., mate, contact, etc.) a lower surface of a receptacle 20 (e.g., ashower receptacle, a bath receptacle, a sink receptacle, etc.), suchthat the receptacle drain opening 20 a directs fluid into the internalcavity of the adapter 50, and fluid (e.g., water, etc.) flowing into thereceptacle 20 can be efficiently communicated and directed from thereceptacle to the drain pipe 31 through the internal cavity of theadapter 50.

As shown in FIG. 4, the bottom wall 51 of the adapter 50 is generallyplanar and has a generally rectangular shape, however, the bottom wallmay be configured to be any number of shapes such as oval, square,circular, or the like. Additionally, the bottom wall 51 may beconfigured to be planar or non-planar. The bottom wall 51 can be madefrom various materials or combinations of materials that are suitablefor modification (e.g., cutting, removing material, etc.) by aninstaller at an installation site, such as, for example, plastic,rubber, aluminum, or any other suitable material or combinations ofmaterials. The bottom wall 51 is configured for an installer to locateand cut a drain hole (e.g., a drain opening, a drain, an aperture, etc.)of a desired size at a desired position within the bottom wall 51. Thedrain hole 52 c is configured to receive at least a portion of the drainpipe 31 therein to fluidly couple the adapter 50 to the drain pipe 31located within a sub-floor 30 (e.g., a floor, the ground, a cementsub-floor, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 4, the seal 52 is located along a periphery (e.g., aperipheral edge, a perimeter, etc.) of the bottom wall 51. The seal 52extends generally upward from the bottom wall 51 and includes an innersurface 52 b extending along an inside perimeter of the seal 52. Theinner surface 52 b and the bottom wall 51 collectively define theinternal cavity of the adapter 50, which is suitable for fluid (e.g.,water) to flow through when the adapter is installed between thereceptacle 20 and the drain pipe 31. The seal 52 further includes a topsurface 52 a that can engage (e.g., mate, contact, etc.) a bottomsurface of the receptacle 20. According to an exemplary embodiment, thetop surface 52 a can form a seal with a bottom surface of the receptacle20 and around the receptacle drain opening 20 a, such that fluid flowingthrough the internal cavity will not leak outside the adapter 50 (i.e.,water is contained within the internal cavity of the adapter). The seal52 may be made out of various materials or combinations of materialssuitable for creating a water-tight seal with the receptacle 20, suchas, for example, rubber, foam, plastic, or other suitable materials.

According to an exemplary installation sequence shown in FIG. 5, theadapter 50 of FIG. 4 is shown installed between a receptacle 20 (e.g., ashower receptacle, a sink receptacle, a bath receptacle, etc.) and adrain pipe 31 (e.g., a drain, a sewage pipe, etc.) located within asub-floor 30 (e.g., a floor, the ground, etc.). First, an installerdetermines the offset distance between the drain opening 20 a of thereceptacle 20 and the drain pipe 31 at the installed position of thereceptacle. Next, the installer cuts (e.g., drills, presses, forms,etc.) a drain hole 52 c (e.g., an aperture, an opening, etc.) in thebottom wall 51 of the adapter. According to another exemplaryembodiment, the drain hole 52 c is a pre-drilled or cut hole. Accordingto various exemplary embodiments, the size and location of the drainhole 52 c may vary based on the size and location of the drain pipe 41located within the sub-floor 30. The adapter 50 is then coupled to thedrain pipe 31 at the drain hole 52 c. The bottom wall 51 may alsocontact (e.g., engage, abut, etc.) the sub-floor 30 at a bottom surfacethereof when the adapter 50 is installed thereto. The adapter 50 can beadjusted (e.g., moved, rotated, etc.) relative to the drain pipe 31 toposition the adapter for installation of the receptacle 20.

Next, the receptacle 20 is installed onto a top surface 52 a of the seal52 with the drain opening 20 a of the receptacle 20 positioned above orwithin the internal cavity of the adapter 50. The top surface 52 a ofthe seal 52 and a bottom surface of the receptacle 20 form a water-tightseal, such that fluid (e.g., water) flowing through the internal cavitywill not leak outside the adapter 50 (e.g., such that water can becontained within the internal cavity). According to the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 5, a cover 60 may be installed over at least aportion of the receptacle 20 to hide/conceal the drain opening 20 a ofthe receptacle. The cover 60 can, advantageously, provide for betteraesthetics, while simultaneously prevent the drain opening 20 a fromgetting clogged.

According to the various exemplary embodiments described herein, theadapter assembly components, such as the base and the upper panel, maybe made out of various materials or combinations of materials thatexhibit anti-corrosive properties, such as, for example, plastic,treated metal, composite, ceramic, rubber, or other materials suitablefor plumbing applications. Additionally, the various adapters andadapter assemblies may include additional elements such as gaskets(e.g., gasket 22 shown in FIG. 1), seals, fasteners, and the like forinstalling the receptacles.

The adapters/adapter assemblies described herein are particularlyadvantageous in that they allow for the installation of receptacleshaving drain locations that are different from the fixed locations ofdrain pipes without requiring an installer to perform substantialmodifications at the installation site (e.g., moving drain pipes fromthere fixed locations). Additionally, the aforementioned assemblies areeasy to install and allow for the effective and efficient draining ofwater.

As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially”,and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony withthe common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art towhich the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should beunderstood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure thatthese terms are intended to allow a description of certain featuresdescribed and claimed without restricting the scope of these features tothe precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms shouldbe interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequentialmodifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimedare considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in theappended claims.

It should be noted that the term “exemplary” as used herein to describevarious embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments arepossible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possibleembodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that suchembodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

The terms “coupled,” “connected,” and the like, as used herein, mean thejoining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Suchjoining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removableor releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or thetwo members and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two membersor the two members and any additional intermediate members beingattached to one another.

References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,”“above,” “below,” etc.) are merely used to describe the orientation ofvarious elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientationof various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments,and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the presentdisclosure.

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of theadapter assemblies and membranes/adapters as shown in the variousexemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a fewembodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Forexample, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed ofmultiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed orotherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements orpositions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any processor method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternativeembodiments.

Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also bemade in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the variousexemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. For example, any element (e.g., base, upper panel, lowerpanel, seal/gasket, etc.) disclosed in one embodiment may beincorporated or utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adapter assembly for coupling a shower receptacle to a drain, comprising: a base comprising: a bottom wall, a sidewall extending upward from an outer periphery of the bottom wall, and a first aperture disposed in the bottom wall; and an upper member adjustably coupled to the base, the upper member having a second aperture disposed therein; wherein the upper member is configured to be selectively moved relative to the base to adjust a relative position between the first and second apertures; and wherein a portion of the base and a portion of the upper member cooperatively define an internal cavity for receiving a fluid therein.
 2. The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the first aperture is located offset from a center of the bottom wall, and wherein the second aperture is located offset from a center of the upper member.
 3. The adapter assembly of claim 2, wherein the upper member is configured to be rotated relative to the base.
 4. The adapter assembly of claim 2, wherein the upper member is configured to be translated relative to the base.
 5. The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the base is configured to be coupled to the drain at the first aperture.
 6. The adapter assembly of claim 5, wherein the upper member is configured to be coupled to the shower receptacle at the second aperture.
 7. The adapter assembly of claim 1, further comprising a first flange extending downward from a bottom surface of the base and surrounding the first aperture.
 8. The adapter assembly of claim 7, further comprising a second flange extending upward from a top surface of the upper member and surrounding the second aperture.
 9. The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper member is removably coupled to the base.
 10. The adapter assembly of claim 8, further comprising a collar rotatably coupled to the base and configured to sandwich the upper member to the base between a portion of the collar and a portion of the base.
 11. The adapter assembly of claim 10, wherein the collar is threadably coupled to the base.
 12. An adapter assembly for fluidly coupling a shower receptacle to a drain, comprising: a base comprising: a bottom wall, a sidewall extending upward from a periphery of the bottom wall, and a first flange extending from the bottom wall and defining a first aperture; and an upper member adjustably coupled to the base; and a second flange extending from the upper member and defining a second aperture; wherein the upper member is configured to be selectively moved relative to the base to adjust a relative position between the first and second apertures; and wherein the base is configured to be coupled to the drain at the first aperture and the upper member is configured to be coupled to the shower receptacle at the second aperture.
 13. The adapter assembly of claim 12, wherein a portion of the base and a portion of the upper member cooperatively define an internal cavity for receiving a fluid therein.
 14. The adapter assembly of claim 12, wherein the first aperture is located offset from the center of the bottom wall, and wherein the second aperture is located offset from the center of the upper member.
 15. The adapter assembly of claim 12, wherein the upper member is rotatably coupled to the base.
 16. The adapter assembly of claim 12, wherein the upper member is slidably coupled to the base.
 17. An adapter for fluidly coupling a shower receptacle to a drain, comprising: a generally planar bottom wall; and a seal extending upwardly from the bottom wall and along an outer periphery of the bottom wall, wherein the seal includes an inner surface and a top surface; wherein the inner surface of the seal and an upper surface of the generally planar bottom wall collectively define an internal cavity for receiving a fluid therein; and wherein the top surface of the seal is configured to engage a bottom surface of the shower receptacle to form a water-tight seal therebetween.
 18. The adapter of claim 17, wherein the generally planar bottom wall further includes a drain hole disposed therein.
 19. The adapter of claim 17, wherein the generally planar bottom wall is configured to have a drain hole selectively cut therein.
 20. The adapter of claim 19, wherein the drain hole is configured to receive a drain pipe of a building therethrough. 